on July 10, 2007
by staff in Latest,
Comments Off on Lights, Camera, Action

Lights, Camera, Action

Speaker and Colorado DLC co-chair Andrew Romanoff is launching a private-public partnership that will put the floor proceedings of the State House of Representatives on cable television and the Internet, starting this January. The project is appropriately called the Colorado Legislative Watch (CLW).

“Thirty-four states already have similar ‘C-SPANs’ in place,” said Romanoff. “It brings Colorado in line with the rest of the country and the 21st century. Technology can strengthen the connection between voters and their representatives. This will bring the House of Representatives home.”

Due to some of the strongest sunshine laws in the country, state government is very open and accessible – but only for those who can actually get to the Capitol. Television and radio coverage is almost nonexistent. Newspapers continue to shrink the amount of space dedicated to state government.

At a time when state policies are increasingly important to our quality of life, the current flow of information to citizens is woefully inadequate. The lack of communication among Coloradans, and between the general public and their elected and appointed representatives – combined with the growing complexity of government itself – result in a citizenry that feels powerless and hostile toward its state leaders. Such alienation continues to reduce voter turnout and increase distrust with those responsible for developing and implementing public policy.

While CLW will not be contesting for ratings, audience share, and advertising income, the public will tune in. Other states that provide this service consistently cite a significant increase in feedback from constituents on issues which have been the subject of televised coverage.

Some years ago, the State of Washington’s public affairs television network commissioned a public opinion poll before going on the air. When asked “If a state version of C-SPAN existed, how often would you watch?” 83 percent said frequently or occasionally. Thirty-four percent of those who choose not to subscribe to cable said they would be more likely to sign up if such a service were available. Over 90 percent of the 18-29 year-olds surveyed indicated a strong interest in watching state government on television.

Maximizing viewership requires making sure that citizens can figure out what is being telecast at any given time. Viewers want to know what the programming schedule will be, who the “players” are, and what the stakes are.

Smart use of the Internet can help with the what and when programming questions. In addition, short clips, like those broadcast by the Connecticut Network, provide helpful context. For example, if an issue concerning the Colorado Department of Natural Resources is before a committee, a video “primer” can explain the way the department works and what it does.

Ensuring the integrity of the broadcasts, without actually affecting the process, is also essential. Other states have already shown that it is possible to provide unbiased coverage devoid of any interpretation or advocacy. Gavel-to-gavel coverage means that the camera is turned on at the beginning of the meeting or event and turned off when the gavel comes down to adjourn the meeting. That reassures those on the air, as well as viewers.

The experience of other states also puts to rest the fears of increased “grandstanding” and less open, candid discussion. Public officials quickly become accustomed to the cameras and are neither afraid of them nor driven to monopolize them.

Credibility with viewers also requires an “arms-length” relationship between CLW and state government. Public officials and government employees should not be put in the position of making editorial decisions on what should be covered. Independence is absolutely necessary to ensure the integrity of CLW’s operation – one free from potential partisanship or efforts to influence programming for purposes other than the objective and meaningful presentation of public affairs. Editorial control should rest with CLW employees.

In addition, Colorado should specifically prohibit the use of CLW footage for political purposes. In California, it is a misdemeanor to use any broadcast material from its state public affairs network for personal political purposes, such as a campaign advertisement or even for commercial objectives. No reuse of the programming or signal should be allowed without express consent of the channel. However, legitimate news outlets should have access to any live or taped broadcasts.

CLW’s challenge is to quickly move beyond broadcasting only House floor proceedings. In any legislative body, committee meetings are a big part of the action – and where bills often go to die. For example, on Washington State’s channel, hearings take up 80 percent of air time.

Of course, the Senate should agree to be part of the coverage. News conferences, major speeches and state-of-the-state addresses should also become a regular part of the programming.

Over time, the rest of state government, including the executive and judicial branches, should be part of the mix. For example, elected bodies like the State Board of Education and the University of Colorado’s Board of Regents both hold public meetings and make decisions that affect thousands of students and educators – impacting the quality of the state’s work force and future of our economy. Other entities like the Public Utility Commission affect every consumer in the state.

For democracy to work, voters must be informed and engaged. Thanks to the Speaker’s leadership, along with support from Comcast and the City and County of Denver, many more Coloradans will soon have unprecedented access to the state government whose laws they must obey and whose operations they must support with their tax dollars.

Increasingly, it will be possible for Coloradans to be right there “in the room” when important policy decisions about their lives are made.

Due to some of the strongest sunshine laws in the country, state government is very open and accessible – but only for those who can actually get to the Capitol. Television and radio coverage is almost nonexistent. Newspapers continue to shrink the amount of space dedicated to state government.

At a time when state policies are increasingly important to our quality of life, the current flow of information to citizens is woefully inadequate. The lack of communication among Coloradans, and between the general public and their elected and appointed representatives – combined with the growing complexity of government itself – result in a citizenry that feels powerless and hostile toward its state leaders. Such alienation continues to reduce voter turnout and increase distrust with those responsible for developing and implementing public policy.

While CLW will not be contesting for ratings, audience share, and advertising income, the public will tune in. Other states that provide this service consistently cite a significant increase in feedback from constituents on issues which have been the subject of televised coverage.

Some years ago, the State of Washington’s public affairs television network commissioned a public opinion poll before going on the air. When asked “If a state version of C-SPAN existed, how often would you watch?” 83 percent said frequently or occasionally. Thirty-four percent of those who choose not to subscribe to cable said they would be more likely to sign up if such a service were available. Over 90 percent of the 18-29 year-olds surveyed indicated a strong interest in watching state government on television.

Maximizing viewership requires making sure that citizens can figure out what is being telecast at any given time. Viewers want to know what the programming schedule will be, who the “players” are, and what the stakes are.

Smart use of the Internet can help with the what and when programming questions. In addition, short clips, like those broadcast by the Connecticut Network, provide helpful context. For example, if an issue concerning the Colorado Department of Natural Resources is before a committee, a video “primer” can explain the way the department works and what it does.

Ensuring the integrity of the broadcasts, without actually affecting the process, is also essential. Other states have already shown that it is possible to provide unbiased coverage devoid of any interpretation or advocacy. Gavel-to-gavel coverage means that the camera is turned on at the beginning of the meeting or event and turned off when the gavel comes down to adjourn the meeting. That reassures those on the air, as well as viewers.

The experience of other states also puts to rest the fears of increased “grandstanding” and less open, candid discussion. Public officials quickly become accustomed to the cameras and are neither afraid of them nor driven to monopolize them.

Credibility with viewers also requires an “arms-length” relationship between CLW and state government. Public officials and government employees should not be put in the position of making editorial decisions on what should be covered. Independence is absolutely necessary to ensure the integrity of CLW’s operation – one free from potential partisanship or efforts to influence programming for purposes other than the objective and meaningful presentation of public affairs. Editorial control should rest with CLW employees.

In addition, Colorado should specifically prohibit the use of CLW footage for political purposes. In California, it is a misdemeanor to use any broadcast material from its state public affairs network for personal political purposes, such as a campaign advertisement or even for commercial objectives. No reuse of the programming or signal should be allowed without express consent of the channel. However, legitimate news outlets should have access to any live or taped broadcasts.

CLW’s challenge is to quickly move beyond broadcasting only House floor proceedings. In any legislative body, committee meetings are a big part of the action – and where bills often go to die. For example, on Washington State’s channel, hearings take up 80 percent of air time.

Of course, the Senate should agree to be part of the coverage. News conferences, major speeches and state-of-the-state addresses should also become a regular part of the programming.

Over time, the rest of state government, including the executive and judicial branches, should be part of the mix. For example, elected bodies like the State Board of Education and the University of Colorado’s Board of Regents both hold public meetings and make decisions that affect thousands of students and educators – impacting the quality of the state’s work force and future of our economy. Other entities like the Public Utility Commission affect every consumer in the state.

For democracy to work, voters must be informed and engaged. Thanks to the Speaker’s leadership, along with support from Comcast and the City and County of Denver, many more Coloradans will soon have unprecedented access to the state government whose laws they must obey and whose operations they must support with their tax dollars.

Increasingly, it will be possible for Coloradans to be right there “in the room” when important policy decisions about their lives are made.